Revolutionary New Bunion Surgery Offers Mobility While Healing This Summer

Arlington, VA (July 6, 2010) - Bunion sufferers can shed their insecurities and confidently slip into sandals this summer thanks to Dr. Steven Neufeld's development of the revolutionary Ludloff PlateTM. The Ludloff PlateTM has catapulted an improvement in the quality of life for patients who previously suffered with bunions from all across the country.

Before Oprah bravely shared her struggles with bunions, the American Podiatric Association had recorded that of the 39% of women who wear high heels every day, three out four of these women reported shoe-related problems. This condition is a quiet one- rarely discussed even among friends. A bunion occurs when a patient's big toe points toward the second toe causing a bump on the inside edge of one's toe. Symptoms include red, calloused skin along the inside edge of the big toe and varying pain over the joint. Although bunions are typically genetic, shoes with little to no support, such as flip-flops and high heels can aggravate this condition.

Until Dr. Neufeld's Ludloff PlateTM, patients suffering from moderate to severe bunions were forced to endure the pain and embarrassment of the condition, or agree to a surgery that would keep them off their feet for six weeks. Dr. Neufeld explains, "Many bunion patients have avoided surgery for years, even decades, because the traditional procedure requires the patient to stay off the foot for six weeks with very limited use of crutches; patient morale is often low. The casts cause surrounding muscles to atrophy. Before the development of the Ludloff Plate, if a patient walked on their foot before six weeks, it was extremely painful and their surgical results could be lost."

Dr. Neufeld was determined to create a solution. Dr. Neufeld describes how the Ludloff PlateTM works, "I developed a plate that is surgically implanted into the foot and holds the bone in its correct position. The purpose of plate is to make it strong enough so people can walk on it as soon as possible. We like to see patients walking and get them into rehabilitation immediately to promote an optimal outcome." Orthopedic surgery integrating the Ludloff PlateTM restores patient mobility within days of post-op. During the last 12 months, over 90 Ludoff Bunion procedures have been performed across the country with resounding success.

With Dr. Neufeld's Ludloff PlateTM, patients no longer have to suffer in silence and can finally enjoy their summer in sandals.

About Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center: As the founder and managing partner of Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center in Arlington, VA, Dr. Neufeld, remains committed to an exceptionally integrated and caring approach. Together with Dr. Matthew Buchanan, Dr. Evetta Borden, and their extraordinary team of podiatrists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and orthotics and custom shoe and inserts experts, Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center has become the leading edge foot and ankle care team. Special interests include total ankle replacement, bunion and hammertoe correction, diabetic foot health and wound care, among other foot and ankle conditions. For more information, please visit www.footankledc.com.

Arlington, VA July 6th July 2010

Innovative Procedure Saves Arm

Kansas City, Kan. - If Gary Paul had been admitted to Kansas University Hospital three months ago, instead of last week, he probably would have gone home to Potwin without his right arm.

But now, because of a new treatment protocol never before used in the United States, Paul will keep both arms and his right arm could eventually be as good as it's ever been. "I was in so much pain. It was unreal," Paul said in his hospital bed just days after the surgery. "I had lived with it since last July."

Paul, a retired Raytheon employee, was suffering from a tumor in his right arm, near the biceps, that had cropped up after a bout with liver cancer. The tumor had destroyed most of the bone in his upper arm and stretched the nerves to the point that they were constantly sending pain signals to his brain. His muscles had atrophied. The tumor had to be removed, but traditionally that would have meant his arm would need to be amputated as well. Enter Dr. Kim Templeton, an orthopedic oncologist at KU Hospital. Just weeks before meeting Paul, she'd learned of a new device that had been developed by the Merete company in Germany. It had been used about 100 times around the world in cases like Paul's. "Tumors in the middle of bones don't happen too often," Templeton said. "This was fairly difficult because Mr. Paul had a very large tumor. We had to peel all the nerves and muscles off." After six hours of surgery, the bone in the upper arm had largely been replaced by a titanium OsteoBridge, connected to the remaining bone with a healthy dose of cement and screws. Eventually, with a little rehabilitation and a little time, Paul should have no restrictions on what sort of activities he can do. "As people discover this, I imagine they'll be doing it more often," Templeton said. "This is a problem that doesn't happen very often." But according to Werner von Heimann, marketing director of Merete, the next surgery is already scheduled for next week in Boston. And he should know - the company sends one of its engineers to every surgery.

"We're quite keen to make sure it's used properly," von Heimann said. "We're quite keen to bring the message across personally and assist in every operation that is done."

Of course, Paul isn't as worried about the first-in-the-nation status. He's just glad to have his arm back. And three days after surgery, he was already cracking jokes about his implant as he wiggled his arm back and forth. "My oldest sister said I'm going to be the bionic man," Paul said. "I've got the bionic arm."Now all he has to worry about is rehab and getting through airport metal detectors the next time he hops on an airplane. By then, he'll be able to carry his own luggage.